No park Disney trip, what would you do?

[sheboz]

We may have the opportunity to be in Orlando for three days in mid February. I will have my three children with me DS 11, DD 8 and DS 2. What would you do to get the Disney Magic without going into a park? What character dining can we do?

 

[hardis5]

Cinderella buffet dinner at Grand Floridan (1900 Park Fare) and Chef Mickey's buffet (breakfast) at the Contemporary are two we have done outside the parks on-site.

 

[starvenger]

Grand Floridian is nice. A wee bit less rushed than the character dining at the parks. And there's Disney Springs, of course.

 

[mort1331]

You can also do Hoop de do or Mickeys backyard BBQ over at Ft.Wildernes

 

[bfamilyx4]

who are the characters at the the grand floridian/chef mickey's? we are supposed to go to mk for one day but now not so sure. can't believe it's gonna cost us >$600 cdn for a family of 4. but the kids want to see the main characters.
do they have characters at the waterparks?

 

[starvenger]

GF is 4 characters - Cinderella, Charming, and some combination of the Fairy Godmother, Tremaine and the Step sisters. We got the Godmother and Druzella (sp?).

 

[bababear_50]

We may have the opportunity to be in Orlando for three days in mid February. I will have my three children with me DS 11, DD 8 and DS 2. What would you do to get the Disney Magic without going into a park? What character dining can we do?

The Garden Grove Restaurant (we found the prices here to be better)
Swan Hotel and Resort
Sat and Sun Character breakfast
Dinner Mon-fri Character Dinner

Info here
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=206
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/swan-hotel/garden-grove/

I would also second Mickeys Backyard Barbecue BBQ--maybe pair it with Chip and Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long. and movies under the stars at Fort Wilderness.

http:http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/campfire-activities///www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=280
http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/campfire-activities/

I make baggies of S'mores stuff at home and take them with me.
Here is an example of a Chip and Dale s'mores baggie topper.
Let me know if you are interested in making one for your family and I will post one for you.
I would just need the kids first name or a family last name,,(as I don't post blanks of my DISigns,due Ebay and etsy theft of my stuff).

example here

 

[sheboz]

Bababear_50 thank you for the offer! Our last name is Bosnali and we do plan on going to the camp fire sing along! Thank you for the recommendation of the garden grove, this sounds perfect for us! This is why I love this board so much!

 

[amie416]

In case you're looking for more ideas, I came across a pretty good list here:
http://www.mousesavers.com/free-and-cheap-stuff-to-do-at-walt-disney-world/

 

[bababear_50]

Bababear_50 thank you for the offer! Our last name is Bosnali and we do plan on going to the camp fire sing along! Thank you for the recommendation of the garden grove, this sounds perfect for us! This is why I love this board so much!

Hi
Have a great vacation
Hugs Mel

PS
just in case you visit Disney Springs
maybe each child could pick up a treat at "Goofy's Candy Shop"
OR a round of Miniature Golfing
OR A movie
OR
A game of Bowling

 

[dancemonkey]

who are the characters at the the grand floridian/chef mickey's? we are supposed to go to mk for one day but now not so sure. can't believe it's gonna cost us >$600 cdn for a family of 4. but the kids want to see the main characters.
do they have characters at the waterparks?

The day we were there in December it was Pooh, Tigger, Alice, the mad hatter and Mary poppins.

 

[sheboz]

Mel, thanks for taking the time to customize these labels for us! You do great work!

 

[LemonNeko]

We did Chef Mickeys' this past October and it was Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto. Not sure what happened to Donald. We are doing the Cape May Breakfast on our upcoming trip. No Mickey but it's Minnie, Daisy and Donald I think.